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Monday, July 20, 2009

Army Guardsman named 'Chaplain of the Year'

Army Guardsman named 'Chaplain of the Year'

By Staff Sgt. S. Patrick McCollumNational Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. (7/9/09) - Chaplains have a myriad of reasons forserving their country, but recognition is usually not one of them."Chaplains are often in the position where we love to serve so much, it'salways a surprise to be rewarded for it," said Army Capt. RebekahMontgomery, who will receive the "Chaplain of the Year" award from theMilitary Chaplains'Association July 17. A Unitarian Universalist chaplain serving at both the Army NationalGuard Readiness Center, Arlington, Va., and Maryland's 58th Troop Command,Montgomery, she has been a student of religion since high school.She found that religion fascinated her. "I was always drawn to how peoplenegotiate their daily lives with the experience of the spiritual," saidMontgomery, who grew up in Bethesda, Md. "I got so much stimulation out ofunderstanding other faith traditions and I still do." After an 18-month tour in Afghanistan, Montgomery found herself backin Maryland with two jobs. One weekend a month, she is the brigade chaplainin the 58th TC, a job that she says keeps her grounded in the "M-Day" unitmentality. "With my state, that's where the real nuts-and-bolts mission is,"she said."I feel like I'm staying in touch and serving at the local level." During the week at the readiness center, she focuses on a broadermission, advising high-level officials on spiritual issues. "My position at NGB is sort of an aide-de-camp for a general,"she said. "Yougo places and see things you would never see in an M-Day unit." At the readiness center, Montgomery has also participated in therecent Suicide Prevention Stand-Down, making herself available to Soldierswho need counseling. "Suicide has been an issue I have seen deployed, in the field, andon drill weekends," she said. "It's a fact of life, and is somethingchaplains are often involved in." While Montgomery feels she has made a contribution, she said it ishard to trace. Morale and the number of infractions can be indicators, butone can't measure exactly something that didn't happen. "We don't see the direct results, but we trust God is using us in aprofound and positive way," she said. "You can't quantify how many divorcesdidn't happen. You can't quantify how many suicides didn't happen." Her efforts have been noticed though, and Montgomery said she neverforgets the reason she was nominated. "Just having the opportunity to serve Soldiers is the greatestmission on earth."